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An overdose alert has been issued for the Interior Health Authority area due to an increase in non-fatal overdoses across the entire region. 

 "We have received reports from many communities across the interior of increased overdose activity," Interior Health said in the Friday (Sept. 5) alert. 

BC Emergency Health Services has also noted a recent rise in overdose calls starting around Aug. 27, "underscoring the ongoing challenges we face in this crisis," the health authority said. 

While Friday's alert is not linked to a specific substance, Interior Health highlighted that carfentanil continues to be detected in B.C. It's a drug that is estimated to be up to 100 times more potent than fentanyl, and when combined with opioids or other substances, its effects are amplified, greatly increasing the risk of fatal overdose. 

Some tips from Interior Health about carfentanil: 

• Smoking is not safer than injecting.   

• High risk of overdose and fatal overdose. 

• Repeated doses of Naloxone may be required. 

Other more general tips include: 

• Carry Naloxone and know how to use it.

• Use with others around or at an overdose prevention site.

• Find drug checking locations at . 

• Be aware of the risks if mixing drugs, including alcohol.

• Start with a small amount and wait before taking more. 

• Space out your doses. 

• Call 211 or visit to find services in your area

• Get the LifeGuard app at . 

To find a harm reduction supply site near you, visit . 

Interior Health's Virtual Addiction Medicine (VAM) clinic offers a full range of opioid agonist treatment, including buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone), methadone, and slow-release oral morphine.  The VAM clinic is virtual, meaning your appointments will take place over the phone no matter where you are in the Interior Health region. The VAM clinic does not provide long-term care. Once you are comfortable with how your treatment is going, Interior Health will help you find health services in your community. 

Visit to request an appointment. 

If you need help managing prescribed safer supply or alternatives, supervised consumption, overdose prevention, supervised withdrawal from alcohol, or counselling, contact your nearest Interior Health Mental Health and Substance Use centre at 310-6478.